Concealed antenna support



Fell 28, 1950 M. R. FRIEDBERG 'E1-AL 2,499,137

CONCEALED ANTENNA SUPPORT Filed May 13, 1947 q Troc NE YS Patented Feb. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONCEALED ANTENNA SUPPORT Milton R. Friedberg and Lewis H. Finncburgh, Jr., Cleveland Heights, and Theodore R. Finke, Euclid, Ohio, assignors to The Gabriel Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 13, 1947, Serial No. '747,792

(Cl. Z50-33) 4 Claims. 1

This invention pertains to radio antennae for automotive vehicles and the like and, more particularly, to a tiltable radio antenna of the socalled telescoping and disappearing type and the support therefor.

An object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved radio antenna of the disappearing type having a concealed housing adapted to be mounted at desired positions on the body of an automotive vehicle or the like and adjustable to various angles relative to its supporting base, which radio antenna is attractive in appearance, has a minimum number of parts or members, is easily installed, has a minimum physical size, is tiltable or angularly adjustable relative to the mounting, and, when once ad` justed, ixable in that position by a tightening opv-- eration performed on the exterior sideof the body of the automotive vehicle on which mounted.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved radio antenna assembly for automotive vehicles or the like, comprising a telescoping retractable radio antenna proper, a housing for receiving the antenna on retraction thereof, a mounting base, and an elongated sleeve fixed to one end of the housing and extending through the base, the sleeve comprising a combined mounting bolt for the assembly, a guide sleeve for slidably supporting the antenna for movement into and out of the housing, and a stationary contact member for providing electrical contact between a lead-in connector and the antenna.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved radio antenna assembly, including a multiple piece base adapted to be mounted on opposite sides of the panel of an automotive vehicle, a housing having means for abutting against the lower side of the base, a guide sleeve fixed at one end to the housing and extending through enlarged openings in the base for angular adjustment relative thereto, a telescoping antenna slidably supported in the sleeve for movement into and out of the housing, and fastening means on the opposite end of the guide sleeve for bearing against the upper side of the base for retaining the base members in assembled relationship as well as fixing the housing and antenna in any adjusted angular position relative thereto.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved support for a radio antenna of the telescoping generally disappearing type including a housing, an insulating sleeve fixed in one end of the housing, an antenna guide 55 and mounting sleeve in electrical contact with the antenna and adapted to extend through a mounting base, one end of the sleeve extending into the insulating sleeve and having a lead-in conductor extending laterally through the insulating sleeve and abutting thereagainst for retaining the mounting sleeve in position in the insulating sleeve and in assembled relationship with the housing.

The invention resides in certain constructions and combinations and arrangements of parts, and further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following description of the preferred embodiment described with reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side sectional View of an antenna and support embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken approximately on the line 3 3 of Fig. l, the parts having been transposed through an angle of 90.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is shown as embodied in a radio antenna assembly mounted on the panel A of an automotive vehicle body or the like, the assembly shown comprising a radio antenna proper B of the socalled retractable telescoping whip type, a housing assembly C, and a base D, which as shown supports the entire antenna assembly on the panel A.

The panel A is shown for the purposes of illustration only and may be any portion of an automotive vehicle body or the like, whether sloping, Vertical, or horizontal, or at the front or rear thereof, and is preferably perforated or drilled to provide a suitable opening for passage of a lead-in connection from the antenna B on the exterior of the panel to the interior thereof, as well as a passage for clamping means to fasten the base D onto the panel.

As shown, the base D is generally ball or spherical shaped and comprises a pair of half ball members, an inner 0r lower half ball member l l and an outer or upper half ball member I2, positioned in aligned relationship on opposite sides of the body panel A concentric with the opening thereof. As shown, the inner or lower half ball member II has a main generally hemispherical outer surface I3, and a plurality of generally flat chordal surfaces comprising an upwardly extending boss I4 and an inwardly or downwardly extending recess or aperture I5. Similarly, the upper or outer half ball member I2 has a main generally hemispherical outer surface ll, and a plurality of generally flat chordal surfaces comprising a downwardly extending boss I8 and an upwardly extending recess or aperture I9. The

bosses andrecesses vorfapertures in therespective half ball members are similarly dimensioned such that they will mate when the half ball members are assembled on the panel A and are preferably,-

although not necessarily, centrally positioned and semicylindrical in shape having a somewhat less than the radius: ofgtheball; mem: bers, thus leaving continuous ,-ringlike flatchordal surfaces 20, 2| y the half ball members Il, I 2, respectively.-` The surface as shown abuts againstits respective side of the body panel A. Thesizeofthe opening in the panel A is preferably of suchgasize to just pass the cylindrical boss formed by the mating semicylindrical-.bosses I4,` I8. If desired, a sealingwasher 22 of softrubber or like sealing material. may bepositioned between theringlike flat surfaceZI on thehalfballmember I2.and the body panel A.. Asshown, the washerhasan. upwardly extending. flange.r 23 on .its outer edge 1:4; 1948;' nowPatent-No. 2;470,'693; issued May 17, 1949.

Each., ball) member H, aligned openings 25; 26; respectively; which openingsas shown taper from a slot on the surfacegof theA ball members'to a generally central aligned opening on the interior'of the assembledY ball or base D. These openings provide a passage for clamping means'Y to xedly position the half-ball membersrelative tothe body panel A aswell as toprovide a passage fora supporting'member for the;antenna B.

Theiantenna'B may take any-one of ahum-ber of diierent'forms, and may befmade of;metal'or plastic. prisesthree rodlike members-a lower tubular member 28, an intermediate tubular memberv 9vv of less diameter than and telescopically arranged withv the lower member,v and an upper rodlike member `of smaller diameter than and" telescopically arranged with the intermediate member 29. Aball 3l preferably of plastic or the like may be suitably fixed to the upper endr of the upper member 3l)A for reducingstatic discharges therefrom, as well as for appearance.

The lower antenna member 281s supported for sliding movement in a guide sleeve 3 3; 4the upper end'oi which is counterboredtoreceivea p air of bearing sleeves'd, 35,? which frictionally engage the outside of the lower antenna member 28 retaining itin any adjusted position andpre-Y ventingVVV it fromrattling.v Asshcwn, the-upper, end .of Athe guide sleeve. .33 is` turned. or curved in.- l wardly over, the` upperend ofltl'ie bearingsleeven 3.4., toretainthe sleeves permanently fixed in the, counterbore. The lower end, of. the guide. sleeve. 33.; is.l provided; with 4a plurality oi, thin.

radius The half I2 is`v providedA` with As shown, however, the antenna. comresilient and elongated electrical contact iingers y 36, see Fig. 2, positioned between the inner wall of the guide sleeve 33 and the surface of the antenna member 28. As shown, the lower ends of the contact members 36 extend below the lower edge of the sleeve 33 and are reversely bent upon themselves to terminate along the outside of the l0wer-end of the guide sleeve 33 to which the ends are suitably welded or soldered. In

s the embodiment shown the lower end of the guide sleeve 33 has been slightly reduced in diameter to receive the reversely bent end of the contact members 36.v

To; provide @positive electrical connection betweenthe intermediate antenna member 2B and ther-lower antennamember 28, the lower end of the. intermediate member 29 has a plurality of elongated thin resilient contact lingers 3s suite ably welded or soldered to its outer surface, which fingers as shown makeg` sliding electrical connection.withtheinterior of the lower antenna member 28. lower antennamember 28 is turned or curved inwardlytofcrrn .a shoulder or stop against which the upper ends of the contact fingers Swill abut whentheintermediatemember 29 is extended to itslimit, althoughother forms of stops might readily be used. Similarly,Y the upper antenna member4 Sliemay beprovided with electrical con- .tactngers-and astop (not shown) and the. wall of thel upperv end of the intermediate antenna member4 29 may be turned or curved inwardly to forma shoulder or stop against which these contact.lingers.may` abut when the'upper antenna member-30 is extended toA its full limit. The

contact-.fingers -Shownmey be of .any desired. C011 strnctiongbutare.preerablv thin-stripsctering;

bronzeimaterial.;

Asshown,l the lguide sleeve 33 is` positioned in and extendsthrough the. aligned; openings 25; 255 in the halfballmembers l le I2 and a cap nut d?. is threadably engaged on the upper vend thereof. Thecap nut rl2 is one'of the means-forclamping thehalf ballmembers l I, I2 in engagement 'with thesides ofthe body panel `A as well as cla-mpv ing theA antenna and housing in any desired angulartposition relative thereto, and the clamping force .ofl the nut 42.istransmittedlto the spherical surface` llof the-upperhalfball member i2 through a circularwasher-@Shaving aflat upperv surface andY a concave lower I surfaceI and 'Y a thin cup. shaped. or concave washer dll: having its opening eccentrically positioned rela-tive tothe edges: thereof. As shown, the washersV d3, Myare slipped overtheupper end-0f the guiding sleeve 33 with-lthe upperI sur-face of the'washer i3 in abuttingengagementwith the lower surface of thenut d2. tispreferred, as thecap-.nutlllZ is tightened down, that the concave washer d4. engage` thev surface il of the-upperball member I2. principally at itsouter edges, and for this reason the. curvature ofA the washer-wild may-be slightly less. than the curvature of the surface Il, andif desired the edges ofthe washer may be curved'inwardly at an even shorter radius of curvaturey providingsharp edges to bite into the spherical surface `l l The guide sleeve Sprovides a, means for slidably supporting theantennaBA as well'. as a clamping or tie bolt for iirmly securing the half ball: members: I I, I2 in xed assembled relationship with the body panel A, andfor this purpose the guide, sleeve extends-below the lower sur-Y face of the lower half ball member Il. While a nutthreadedonthe lower end of the guidesleeve- The-wall ofthe-upper end of the.

33 and an eccentric concave washer similar to the concave eccentric washer 44 may be provided for engaging the spherical surface I3 of the lower ball member ll and retaining the base D in assembled relationship, it is preferred for reasons of simplicity in structure and otherwise to utilize means on the upper end of the housing C for this purpose.

The housing C comprises an elongated thin walled tubular housing member 50 and a cup shaped or concave washer 5I, the'inner surface of which bears against the spherical surface I3 of the lower half ball mem-ber II. The upper end of the housing member 50 is turned inward- 1y a short distance to provide a shoulder 52 and an extension 53 of reduced diameter around which the opening of the washer 5I is fitted. The extension is iiared at its upper end, as shown, to retain the washer 5l and the housing member 5U in assembled relationship. As shown, the portion of the washer 5l defining the opening is oifset axially to receive the reduced diameter extension 53 and prevent interference of the flared end with the spherical surface I3 of the lower half ball member II when assembled. The upper end of the housing member 50 below the shoulder 52 has a short hollow insulating sleeve or bushing 55 positioned therein, the upper end of which abuts against the shoulder 52 and the lower end of which abuts against a groove 56 in the wall of the housing member 5I), and the sleeve 55 is thus positioned against axial movement relative to the housing member 50.

As shown, the lower end of the guide sleeve 33 extends into the bore of the insulating sleeve or bushing 55 and an elongated lead-in bolt 55 is threadably engaged in the wall of the lower end of the guide sleeve 33 and extends laterally therefrom through a suitable opening 55d in the wall of the sleeve 55 exteriorly of the housing member 5U. The opening 55a as shown is a slot on the wall of the sleeve 55 opening from the lower end thereof, the base of which slot abuts the upper side of the bolt 6D and prevents removal of the guide sleeve 33 from the insulating sleeve 55. Thus any clamping forces resulting from the tightening of the nut 42 are transmitted through the insulating sleeve 55. the housing 59, and the concave washer 5I to the lower surface I3 of the lower hal-f ball member II. A hollow grounding sleeve 5I is positioned concentrically around the left end of the bolt 60 as viewed in Fig. 1 and is insulated therefrom by an inner insulating sleeve 52. in turn supported on the bolt 6l] by an inner threaded metallic sleeve B3. The sleeve B3 is threadably engaged on the bolt 60 and has a short outwardly extending flange 54 on its left end in abutting engagement with the left end of the insulating sleeve 52. The grounding sleeve 6I has a short inwardly extending iiange 56 at its right end abutting against the opposite or right end of the insulating sleeve E2. The right end of the grounding sleeve- 5l extends into an opening in the wall of the housing member 50 and is preferably soldered thereto, providing a stron-g, permanent, and substantially unitary assembly. The insulating sleeve 55 may be apertured to receive the portion of the sleeve 6! extending interiorly of the housing as well as preventing electrical contact thereof with the guide sleeve 33, which as previously stated is part of the electrical circuit of the antenna.

The outer or leit end of the grounding sleeve 6I is preferably threaded on its outer surface to receive the threads of a cap nut of a lead-in cable connector assembly of the type such as is shown and claimed in the copending application for patent of Milton R. Friedberg and Theodore R. Finke, entitled Grooved connector, Serial No. 657,438, iiled March 27, 1946.

As shown, the housing member 5S is generally enlongated and preferably of such a length as to receive substantially the whole length of the lower antenna member 2S. A stop 63 on the lower end of the housing member 563 prevents retraction of the lower antenna member 28 beyond a predetermined limit. The lower end oi the lower antenna member 28 is provided with a cup shaped member 59 having a diameter approximately equal to the internal diameter of the housing member 50, which provides guide support for the lower end of the lower antenna member 23 as well as insulating same from the housing member 50.

With the construction shown, a rm and positive electrical connection is continuously maintained between the antenna members 28, 29, 3U and the guide sleeve 33 by the contact ingers 35 previously referred to, and the lead-in bolt Sil. When the entire assembly is positioned on the panel A of an automotive vehicle, the half ball members I I, I2 are held in assembled relationship by means of the cap nut 42, the guide sleeve 33, and the concave washer 5l. As shown. the tension on the guide sleeve 33 tending to hold the half ball members in assembled relationship is transmitted to the lead-in bolt 6i?, thence to the insulating sleeve 55, thence to the housing member 5B at the shoulder 52, and thence to the concave washer 5l. It will be appreciated that the antenna B and the housing C may be tilted as a unit to any desired angle relative to the base D and the body panel A, and that after the antenna. and housing have been tilted to such an angle they may be permanently fixed in that position by tightening down the cap nut 42. As the cap nut is accessible from the exterior of the car body, the tightening operation is simply performed by one person, while physically retaining the antenna at the desired angle and without need of access to the lower or under side of the body panel A.

It will be appreciated that other means could be provided for transmitting the tightening force on the guide sleeve 33 to the insulating sleeve 55, such as by providing an outwardly extending flange in the lower end of the guide sleeve by bonding the insulating sleeve 55 to the outer surface of the guide sleeve 33, or by providing a threaded connection therebetween. Also, the concave washer 5! could bev formed integrally with the upper end of the housing member 50. If a ground from the housing member to the body panel A is desired. a grounding washer may be positioned between the underside of the body panel A and the ringlilre surface 28 of the lower half ball member I I and suitably connected to the housing member 5l! or the grounding sleeve 6I by flexible electric wire or braid. .Alternatively, the guide sleeve 33 could be formed of an insulating material or could have an insulating sleeve on its exterior surface and the lower half ball member formed of an electrically conducting material, thus providing a grounding connection through the concave washer 5i.

Although in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes this invention is described as embodied in concrete form and structure and the 7V -principle'thereof has been describedtogetherwith the best mode in which it is ynow-contemplated :applying that principle, it will be understood that the apparatus shown and described is merely illustrative and that the invention is not limited thereto, since alterations and modifications differring materially in appearance and vstructure will readily suggest themselves to lpersons skilled vin the art without departing from the true spirit of this invention or from the scope of the annexed claims.

Having'thus'described our invention, we claim:

1. A concealed mounting support for an extensible and retractable radio antenna and adapted to extend through an opening in .and to be -securedto a body panel of an automotive vehicle and comprising, in combination, a Vbase including a pair of separable members adapted to 'be located respectively on the outer and inner sides of said panel and each provided with an opening adapted to register withk said panel opening, a guide sleeve through which ,said antenna slides and extending through said member openings and of a diameter tohave substantial angular adjustment therein relative to said base and projecting beyond said members, an elongated housing of larger diameter than said guidel sleeve and surrounding a portion thereof in spaced concentric relationship thereto and extending beyond the inner end of said guide sleeve a substantial distance, an insulating sleeve Abushing `interposed between said housing and said vguide sleeve portion, said housing beingprov-ided internally with longitudinallyspaced shoulders retaining said bushing in position and with means located intermediate said inner base memberr and said shoulders Aand engaging said inner .base member, a lead-in b oltl and grounding sleeve assembly carried by said guide sleeve andhousing and Vextending through said bushing and operativelyinterconnecting saidguide sleeve and housing, and means threadably carried by `said guide sleeve and adjustably engaging theouter base member whereby when said last named means is suitably adjusted said base members will be clamped in position on the panel between both of said means and said guide sleeve and housing will be secured relative to said base inthe desired angular relationship thereto.

2. A yconcealed mounting support for 'an extensible and retractable radio antenna Aas dened in claim 1 and wherein said spaced shoulders on said housing comprise inwardly oiset portions of the housing material, while the offset portion adjacent to the inner base member interconnects the housing and said means which engages the inner base member.

3. A concealed mounting support for an extensible and retractable radio antenna as dened in claim 1 and wherein the openings through the base members increase in cross sectional area from the juxtaposed surfaces of said members to the outer and remote surfaces thereof.

4. A concealed mounting support for an eX- tensible and retractable radio antenna as defined in claim 1 and wherein the lead-in bolt and grounding sleeve assembly comprises a grounding sleeve secured to said housing, a lead-in bolt secured to said guide sleeve and extending radially therefrom through said housing and concentrically of said grounding sleeve, said insulating sleeve bushing being provided with a slot extending longitudinally thereof for a part of the length of said bushing, said lead-in bolt extending through said slot andl normally engaging said bushing at the inner end of said slot, and an insulating bushing interposed between said grounding sleeve and saidlead-in bolt adjacent to said housing.

MILTON R. FRIEDBERG. LEWIS H. FINNEBURGH, JR. THEODORE R. FINKE.

REFERENCES CTTED The followingreferences are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,239,614 Martin Apr. 22, 1941 2,252,671 Ludwig Aug. 12, 1941 2,300,847 Russel Nov. 3, 1942 2,348,944 Wagenknecht Mar. 14, 1944 2,365,886 Lehmann Dec. 26, 1944 2,454,897 Trowbridge Nov. 30, 1948 

